OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of Equivac® HeV Hendra virus vaccine on Thoroughbred racing performance. DESIGN: Retrospective pre-post intervention study. METHODS: Thoroughbreds with at least one start at one of six major south-eastern Queensland race tracks between 1 July 2012 and 31 December 2016 and with starts in the 3-month periods before and after Hendra virus vaccinations were identified. Piecewise linear mixed models compared the trends in 'Timeform rating' and 'margin to winner' before and after initial Hendra virus vaccination...

OBJECTIVE: Fractures involving the proximal one-third of the splint bone are relatively rare and are challenging to treat. A variety of management techniques have been reported in the literature. The aim of this retrospective case series was to describe the clinical presentation and evaluate the efficacy of bioabsorbable polylactic acid screws in internal fixation of proximal fractures of the 2nd and 4th metacarpal and metatarsal bones in horses. METHODS: The medical records, diagnostic images and outcome of all horses diagnosed with a proximal fracture of the splint bones and treated with partial resection and internal fixation of the proximal stump using bioabsorbable polylactic acid screws between 2014 and 2015 were reviewed...

OBJECTIVE: To determine if a pre-milking teat disinfection protocol would reduce the incidence of clinical mastitis by greater than 50%. METHODS: Two pre-milking routines were compared in a natural exposure trial. Cows from a single dairy herd were randomly assigned to control (n = 246) and experimental (pre-milking teat disinfection [PMTD]; n = 244) groups. For cows in the control group, the pre-milking routine involved minimal teat-washing, except for cows with wet teat contamination...

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of macroscopic Sarcocystis spp., Cysticercus ovis and Echinococcus granulosus recorded at routine postmortem inspection of Tasmanian slaughter sheep during 2007 to 2013. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of routine postmortem meat inspection data maintained on 352,325 Tasmanian adult slaughter sheep inspected across nine abattoirs in Tasmania, Victoria and South Australia as part of the National Sheep Health Monitoring Project (NSHMP)...

CASE REPORT: During February 2014, a yellow-tailed black cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus funereus) and glossy black cockatoo (C. lathami) housed in aviaries on a property in Wamuran, Queensland, were submitted for postmortem. Histopathology and molecular diagnostics demonstrated the presence of Plasmodium sp. infection. The Plasmodium isolate identified has previously only been reported as infecting a healthy wild rufous fantail (Rhipidura rufifrons) in Australia. CONCLUSION: To the authors' knowledge, these are the first reported cases of Plasmodium in Calyptorhynchus...

CASE REPORT: A 6-year-old neutered male British Shorthair cat presented with two rapidly growing subcutaneous masses, one over each thoracic wall. High-grade, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma was confirmed following histopathology, immunohistochemistry and PCR analysis for antigen receptor re-arrangements. Following biopsy there was rapid regression of the remaining neoplastic tissue with no medical treatment. The cat relapsed 3 months later, with poor response to therapy, and was euthanased...

OBJECTIVE: To describe a modified rib pivot thoracotomy and its clinical application in client-owned dogs and cats. STUDY DESIGN: Case series of 24 dogs and 1 cat requiring a thoracotomy. METHODS: A lateral thoracic incision over the required thoracic segment was made. The latissimus dorsi muscle was reflected dorsally. The predetermined rib was identified and the periosteum overlying the rib was elevated circumferentially, avoiding the intercostal neurovascular structures...

OBJECTIVE: To explore the diversity among isolates of the Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae serovars most common in Australia (serovars 1, 5, 7 and 15) and to examine the Apx toxin profiles in selected representative isolates. DESIGN: A total of 250 isolates selected from different farms were examined for their genotypic profiles and a subset of 122 isolates for their toxin profiles. METHODS: The isolates of serovars 1, 5, 7 and 15 selected for this study came from different farms and different Australian states and were submitted for serotyping to the reference laboratory...

This paper discusses the wide range of roles that Government veterinarians play both in Australia and globally. The paper was presented as a plenary session at the National Australian Veterinary Association Annual Conference.

OBJECTIVES: (1) To collect the perceptions of veterinarians performing equine castrations in Australia on techniques, preferences and outcomes, (2) to investigate veterinarian use and experience with the Henderson castrating instrument and (3) to investigate potential associations between demographics, castration methods and techniques, and complications. DESIGN: Online survey of members of the Australian Veterinary Association's Special Interest Group, Equine Veterinarians Australia (EVA)...

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the course-related and other costs involved in obtaining a veterinary education in Australia and how these costs are met. The study also aimed to identify sociodemographic and course-related factors associated with increased financial stress. METHODS: Students from seven Australian veterinary schools were surveyed using an online questionnaire. A total of 443 students participated (response rate 17%). Responses to survey items relating to finances, employment and course-related costs were compared with sociodemographic factors and prior research in the area of student financial stress...

CASE REPORT: The present case series describes the clinical course and outcome of three cats diagnosed with pseudomembranous cystitis. This is an uncommon presentation of lower urinary tract obstruction but can be easily be identified by ultrasonography, revealing severe bladder wall thickening and thin hyperechoic luminal strips. The condition can be secondary to severe bacterial urinary tract infection. All cats were successfully treated with medical management only, mainly based on antimicrobials and individualised supportive therapy...

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of two concentrations of oxygen delivered to the anaesthetic breathing circuit on oxygenation in mechanically ventilated horses anaesthetised with isoflurane and positioned in dorsal or lateral recumbency. METHODS: Selected respiratory parameters and blood lactate were measured and oxygenation indices calculated, before and during general anaesthesia, in 24 laterally or dorsally recumbent horses. Horses were randomly assigned to receive 100% or 60% oxygen during anaesthesia...

OBJECTIVE: Characterisation of a complete genome sequence of an Australian strain of canid alphaherpesvirus 1 (CHV-1) and its phylogenetic relationship with other varicellovirus species. METHODS: Standard pathology and PCR methods were used to initially detect herpesvirus in hepatic tissue from an infected 4-week-old Labrador Retriever puppy. The complete CHV-1 genome was sequenced using next-generation sequencing technology followed by de novo and reference assembly, and genome annotation...

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of selected canine vector-borne diseases (Leishmania infantum, Anaplasma spp., Ehrlichia canis, Borrelia burgdorferi and Dirofilaria immitis) and endo- and ectoparasites in Samoan dogs presenting for surgical sterilisation and to report on the general health management of the dogs. METHODS: This study was a prospective serological cross-sectional survey. Management data were obtained for 242 dogs by interview with their owners...